If an emergency landing is required, what should the pilot assess first?

The pilot should first assess altitude and airspeed during an emergency landing situation because these two factors are critical in determining the aircraft's ability to maintain control and perform a successful landing. The altitude indicates how much time the pilot has to make decisions and assess options, while the airspeed affects the aircraft's handling characteristics and the ability to maneuver.

Understanding both altitude and airspeed helps the pilot decide the best course of action, including whether to attempt to glide to a suitable landing area if engine power is lost. This assessment helps prioritize actions to ensure a safe and controlled descent, and it influences decisions regarding other factors such as selecting a landing surface and managing fuel. In contrast, while weather conditions, landing surface options, and fuel levels are important considerations, they are secondary to the immediate need to stabilize and control the aircraft.